Using C#

How to Scrape Facebook Ad Library Search Ads with C#

Search Facebook Ad Library by keyword using C#. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from setup to implementation.

Overview

What You'll Learn

  • Setting up your C# environment
  • Installing the required HTTP client
  • Authenticating with SociaVault API
  • Making requests to Facebook Ad Library
  • Handling responses and errors

What You'll Get

  • Access to search data
  • JSON formatted responses
  • Real-time data access
  • Scalable solution
  • Error handling patterns

Prerequisites

1. API Key

First, you'll need a SociaVault API key to authenticate your requests.

2. Development Environment

Make sure you have the following installed:

  • C# installed
  • A code editor (VS Code, Sublime, etc.)
  • Command line interface access

Implementation

Step 1: Install HTTP Client

We'll use HttpClient to make HTTP requests.

bash
// .NET Standard Library

Step 2: API Implementation

Now let's make a request to the Facebook Ad Library API using C#. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key.

csharp
using System;
using System.Net.Http;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

class Program {
    static async Task Main() {
        using var client = new HttpClient();
        client.DefaultRequestHeaders.Add("x-api-key", "YOUR_API_KEY");
        
        var response = await client.GetAsync("https://api.sociavault.com/facebook-ad-library/search?query=marketing");
        var content = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
        
        Console.WriteLine(content);
    }
}

Testing Your Code

API Parameters

ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
querystringYesExample: marketing

Expected Response

You should receive a structured JSON response containing the search data.

json
{
  "searchResults": [
    {
      "ad_archive_id": "615470338018648",
      "categories": [
        "UNKNOWN"
      ],
      "collation_count": 1,
      "collation_id": "888075953335279",
      "contains_digital_created_media": false,
      "contains_sensitive_content": false,
      "currency": "",
      "end_date": 1740729600,
      "entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
      "finserv_ad_data": {
        "is_deemed_finserv": false,
        "is_limited_delivery": false
      },
      "gated_type": "ELIGIBLE",
      "has_user_reported": false,
      "hidden_safety_data": false,
      "hide_data_status": "NONE",
      "impressions_with_index": {
        "impressions_index": -1
      },
      "is_aaa_eligible": false,
      "is_active": true,
      "is_profile_page": false,
      "page_id": "115531458627129",
      "page_is_deleted": false,
      "page_name": "JNB Stables Labradoodles",
      "publisher_platform": [
        "FACEBOOK"
      ],
      "regional_regulation_data": {
        "finserv": {
          "is_deemed_finserv": false,
          "is_limited_delivery": false
        },
        "tw_anti_scam": {
          "is_limited_delivery": false
        }
      },
      "snapshot": {
        "body": {
          "text": "Discover the unmatched joy of having Cedar in your life—a playful and intelligent labradoodle who’s eager to please and full of enthusiasm! Cedar boasts a confident demeanor and a moderate energy level, making him the perfect companion for any active household. His inquisitive nature and exceptional problem-solving skills will keep you entertained as he explores the world around him, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment.\n\nCedar’s independent spirit also presents a fantastic opportunity for bonding through obedience training. This experience not only strengthens your connection but also enhances his impressive skills—after all, with evaluation scores mostly in the 4's, Cedar shows remarkable potential for dog sports, hiking, running, and any stimulating activity you can think of!\n\nIdeal for an experienced dog family ready to embrace an active lifestyle, Cedar is more than just a pet; he’s a loyal companion waiting to share exciting adventures with you. Don’t let the chance to welcome this incredible pup into your home slip away. By choosing Cedar, you’re opening the door to a lifetime of joy, love, and unforgettable experiences. Make Cedar a cherished member of your family today!"
        },
        "cta_text": "No button",
        "cta_type": "NO_BUTTON",
        "current_page_name": "JNB Stables Labradoodles",
        "display_format": "MULTI_IMAGES",
        "images": [
          {
            "original_image_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481661162_990940825757018_8913176685534608816_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeFh8i-Z5kuJ16lqUxcUXs-ZDyrJuz4iKPUPKsm7PiIo9dMNkqCaPt8liPPGabEi8-gibi-WZTylOSlQQNRnxjTT&_nc_ohc=J_6SeTivTasQ7kNvgGEJ5D5&_nc_oc=AdiVcqOuQdywnrpvb75866Udx7xPfkUDT6ikNbmuIxTvcXWDy5hLn81fSf4M1zJD54w&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYD2APYZJejn4srpHfr9dWiivmYDVF3BBE4GZ39fhKpe_w&oe=67C83B69",
            "resized_image_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480837265_659371736650913_3605385323286208049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeHtmv91qbrhP_gBGdhH1sIeg9xKoAkcVGWD3EqgCRxUZel-aAIRonjSGXPj6LnUtMqdlcaX06Jz1tg8m_xMxpYD&_nc_ohc=tlfzH5L3yjgQ7kNvgFePtMF&_nc_oc=AdgiUmZhlwcNdDCj2UOoaF5i-kcJMbSk27A3C50uA6moXJvGdAk5AWivF7jBFDan8PE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYB0_2vXVBDY6wjCOSCYm9xKKAIIzPW8lPuhHTUwpBCsXg&oe=67C84C71",
            "watermarked_resized_image_url": ""
          }
        ],
        "is_reshared": false,
        "page_categories": [
          "Pet Service"
        ],
        "page_entity_type": "PERSON_PROFILE",
        "page_id": "115531458627129",
        "page_is_deleted": false,
        "page_is_profile_page": false,
        "page_like_count": 3823,
        "page_name": "JNB Stables Labradoodles",
        "page_profile_picture_url": "https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481168271_2343627956022656_4475842746106730961_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_eui2=AeE5xuNZ8fz9pPPsJ7v7aD7en3tT5Wuv_kWfe1Pla6_-RXLb66aiQh3AfhlYqBQFisu5C4F-3Qy-BGnOVz1LzY-y&_nc_ohc=GDBS2WaBig8Q7kNvgFfDxKG&_nc_oc=AdiQjedPz36I9ZxzwBa-EwmwZ-KsV2YjJQGq3LDBYAJCg4BIeweEFvOL6nb_LS8rhKo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&_nc_gid=AZxpM4HubQsLPUC0gB46zAp&oh=00_AYB_cfoKnM_tT8JJQpLyNCTlP0af4KDJlXp6_zJb88ZC_A&oe=67C83A50",
        "page_profile_uri": "https://www.facebook.com/JNBStables/"
      },
      "start_date": 1740729600,
      "total_active_time": 5519
    }
  ],
  "searchResultsCount": 50001,
  "cursor": "AQHRYLVDkoMkvGv7yK1rcce-vJmKiKv330R4v3j9KHSOaYvmF1bq1QkotG0rgW8Fkrj-"
}

Best Practices

Error Handling

Implement comprehensive error handling and retry logic for failed requests. Log errors properly for debugging.

Caching

Cache responses when possible to reduce API calls and improve performance. Consider data freshness requirements.

Security

Never expose your API key in client-side code. Use environment variables and secure key management practices.

Troubleshooting

401

Unauthorized

Check your API key is correct and properly formatted in the x-api-key header.

402

Payment Required

You ran out of credits and need to buy more.

404

Not Found

The resource (user, video, etc.) might not exist or be private.

429

Too Many Requests

You have exceeded your rate limit. Slow down your requests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to scrape Facebook Ad Library?

SociaVault offers 50 free API calls to get started. After that, pricing starts at $10 for 5k requests with volume discounts available.

Is it legal to scrape Facebook Ad Library data?

Scraping publicly available data is generally considered legal. We only collect public data that is accessible without logging in.

How fast can I scrape Facebook Ad Library?

Our API handles the rate limiting for you. You can make requests as fast as your plan allows.

What data format does the API return?

All API responses are returned in JSON format, making it easy to integrate with any programming language or application.

Related Tutorials

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